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China's Female Population Numbers Continue to Shrink

China's demographics don't add up, according to a new study. The country's 2000 census indicates 120 boys are born for every 100 girls, giving China the highest sex ratio in the world. Researchers estimate the country is missing a million girls every year from its birth count, renewing fears that widespread sex selection and infanticide may be to blame. NPR's Susan Stamberg talks with Bowdoin College professor Nancy Riley.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Susan Stamberg was one of NPR's "founding mothers" (she also coined the phrase). She joined the network at the time of its inception in 1971, and her career at NPR spanned more than five decades.